Thank you for all the reviews, alerts, and favorites. I wanted to try something different with this chapter. I like Liara, as a character. At first she was a little awkward and shy, then she actually starts to mature. She like a kid sister to my Shepard. She did try to ninjamance me in the first game though, so that's where the little crush/in-love with Shepard thing comes into play in this chapter. I just wanted to see what Liara thought of Kaidan and Shepard's relationship.
Happy Reading!

Sincerely,
Prism Elf

"Observations"

Liara sat in the mess hall, doing what she did best: observing. Her eyes pretended to scan the datapad laid out before her, but to the careful observer they would have noticed her eyes would glance left, then right again, training on everything and nothing in particular all at once. She overheard conservations throughout her time just sitting, seeming to enjoy a past time that most would find rather boring or studious. However, Liara had long discovered that if one could pretend to be busy doing something practical, yet unobtrusive, people left you alone. And better yet were more inclined to talk openly about their deepest darkest secrets without thought that she might actually be listening to their conversation.

She wasn't spying on anyone in particular on the Normandy, but it did make for an entertaining hobby. And it never hurt to have the latest juice gossip of the hour. Today's special was Tali and Garrus. She had almost laughed at the crew's reaction. Not only were they, "aliens" on a human manned vessel, but they were both high officials on their home-worlds. It wasn't surprising really. At least not to her. But then she knew them, even back on the original Normandy the two had shared a bond of sorts that went beyond their shared food base. Both young and idealistic, having the dreams and hopes of their families hanging over their heads and burdened onto their shoulders, Shepard was a stabilizing force to them. She was their anchor in bad times and their light in darkness.

Liara shook her blue head, making it look as if a passage in her reading was giving her trouble. It was only a matter of time before the two of them realized their attraction. Admittedly, Liara had her own naïve to overcome when she had first met Shepard. Then she had thought she was attracted to the Commander. She was a tough woman, formidable in combat and intelligent. She had an open mind and passion. Something 'old' Liara had fantasized about finding in a mate, if she had been so motivated to find one. Yet, Shepard hadn't opened up to Liara in that sense. She wasn't interested in more than friendship. She saw Liara as a kid. A little sister, even if Liara was almost a century older than her.

A low chuckle brought Liara's eyes darting up quickly. Standing at the kitchen counter pulling out glasses and packets of a foul protein shake mix were Shepard and Kaidan. Liara felt a moment of jealousy hit her at the seeing the two together. Kaidan was smiling a little foolishly, while Shepard's laughter twirled across the room. There were only a few people in the mess hall, some off duty privates and specialist taking their dinner breaks. Everybody knew the Commander and Major were friends and had served on the original Normandy together, and most were starting to catch on that Shepard and Alenko were more than friends too. The couple was obviously not hiding it anymore.

They were standing pretty close together, speaking in hushed voices. Every once in a while one would smile and the other laugh. Liara expected at any moment for one to grab hold of the other and start 'making-out' as humans like to put it. They touched hands, fingertips grazed shoulders and at one point Kaidan even placed his hand on the small of Shepard's back then leaned in to whisper something her ear. That exhibit was followed closely by bout of laughter from Shepard.

Liara lowered her eyes back to the datapad in front of her. She really didn't want to the see the happy couple. A pang of regret bubbled up inside her. She should want both Kaidan and Shepard happy; they were her friends after all. But a part of the 'old' Liara the childish, naïve side of her had wanted Shepard to be revived and realize what Liara had done for her. It was her romantic side…she had hoped Shepard's eyes would open and she would see Liara as a hero…her hero, her rescuer. But it hadn't happened that way. She was content now to be friends with Shepard. It was a sad thought knowing that the one person in the whole galaxy she had wanted…was in love with someone else.

Kaidan was a good man; strong, reliable, and talented. She wished them happiness, even if it had meant that she would have to look elsewhere for hers.

Sighing, it was what friends did they wished each other happiness. Even if silently she had hoped that Shepard never would have forgiven Kaidan, but one of the things Liara knew Shepard loved about Kaidan was that he was his own man. He didn't follow her blindly. She loved that he had a mind of his mind. She needed someone who every once in a while would challenge her or even question her plans. It kept her sane. That much Liara knew she could never have done, at least not at first. Now, she might be able too, but back when Shepard and Kaidan had first started falling in love…no, she had been too in awe of Shepard. But now, she had learned maybe a little too late that Shepard was indeed human and made mistakes…and that she needed someone to be her confidant and friend as much as she needed someone to love her for her faults and shortcomings. When thinking back over the years, she still wasn't certain she could love Shepard like Kaidan obviously did. He supported her when she needed it. He also wasn't afraid of speaking his mind to let her know his opinions or thoughts. He might have trusted or believed her when she had sided with Cerberus to take down the Collectors, but Shepard seemed to have loved him more for it. He was loyal to the Alliance and apparently to her too.

"Hey, Liara, what're you reading?" Kaidan's voiced breaking Liara from her thoughts and dropping her back into the present.

"Oh, Major, sorry, did you ask me something?" She asked smiling at him as he took a seat across from her.

He chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "Yeah, it must be pretty engrossing if you didn't hear me."

"Oh, what am I reading?" Liara cheeks blushed with a darker tinged of blue. "It's nothing really just some notes I have taken on Protheans over the past few years. Javik, has caused me to rethink my previous thoughts on Prothean culture."

"Well, he definitely a unique individual. Though, I wonder at how he manages to keep it all together. The things he must have seen," Kaidan shook his head. "I can't even imagine."

"I hope we won't have to either." She said meeting Kaidan's eye. She folded her hands, entwining her fingers together covering the datapad. "How are you going, Kaidan, we haven't had a chance to talk much these past few days."

Kaidan shrugged and looked back over his shoulder toward the kitchen. Liara followed his gaze. It landed on Shepard who was chatting with a nervous looking Tali. By nervous, the quarian was shifting from foot to foot, her head twitching left and right. She appeared to be conversing with Shepard about something important.

"I've been good, great actually. Yourself?"

Liara mimicked his shrug. "Can't complain. Thessia…was hard, but I'm adjusting." She replied honestly. Her survival skills were keen on adapting to a given situation. Losing Thessia had hurt, but she thought Shepard had taken the lost harder than most anyone else. Kaidan had to have known that though. Though, she did notice he never asked Shepard at least not in public if she was alright. Instead he had asked her. The Major knew Shepard wasn't doing well, and no point in pointing out the obvious and dwelling on her failure. In truth Liara couldn't help but wonder how much Shepard depended on Kaidan.

Out in the open the two were flirty and professional at the same time. Never once had she seen the kiss in public. She hadn't seen them even hold hands. The brief touches, smiles and silent glances were her only indication that they were close. Shepard was friendly and would banter, but touching was off limits, unless she initiated it. The fact that Kaidan would reach and brush a stray wisp of hair from Shepard face or place a reassuring hand on her shoulder was confirmation in Liara's eyes of their relationship. Once again the thought stung. She was just friends with Shepard, just friends.

"I'm sorry, but Thessia, Liara…I wish…dammit, Kai Leng will pay." Kaidan said suddenly a biting tone to his voice. The edge to his words, made a shiver run through her. He was serious. Deadly so. Kaidan was a powerful biotic, even if he was only using the L2 implant, he had mastered it. He had the potential to rival some asari. He also didn't throw around death threats on a daily basis. When he committed to something, he committed. Kai Leng was as good as dead.

She nodded. "Thank you for that, Kaidan. I'm sure between you and Shepard Kai Leng should be scared witless."

Kaidan smiled at her. "You can bet on it."

"James and I already have." Liara commented, sheepishly. In order to make her feel better Lieutenant Vega had suggested placing a little wager on which of the two human Spectres would tear Kai Leng in half first. Liara giggled at Kaidan disbelieving look.

"Yes, James and I, we have placed a bet on which of you two." She gestured toward Shepard would be the first to get to him and kill him. Safe to say it was James attempt to cheer me up and it worked, slightly at the time. Feels a little foolish now though."

A burst of short laughter escaped from him and he slapped a hand down on the table. "So, who did you bet on?"

Liara blushed again. "I don't think that would be far to say."

"Shepard, huh?" The gleaming look in his eye was undisguised mirth. Liara wanted suddenly disappear. Too bad biotics couldn't render one invisible.

"I'd bet on her too." He stated. "I mean don't get me wrong. I hate the bastard for what he did on Thessia and what he did to Shepard." He lowered his voice. "And if he was in my sights…I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger."

Liara knew it was true too. She also knew that Kaidan would Shepard the satisfaction of killing Kai Leng first. It was one of the reasons that she had placed her bet on Shepard, though in truth, the gleam in the Major's eye as he was speaking of Kai Leng just at that moment had to give her pause. There was a murderous fury hidden deep within those depths. Kaidan wouldn't hesitate to rip Kai Leng in half with his biotics. And Liara saw the truth behind that. He wouldn't hesitate because Kai Leng had also killed Shepard on Thessia. Thankfully Shepard's luck hadn't run out, but it almost had. Kaidan wanted to kill Kai Leng because he had hurt someone he cared about. Liara was suddenly glad she had never been on the receiving end of the Major's wrath, because this calm and collected human had a deep buried fire. A fire that once unleashed she wasn't certain could be put out. It unnerved her. She wasn't the fragile, helpless girl they had rescued three years ago; she had seen things that made most people shudder at the mere mention of in deed. Yet, right now, at that very moment she was frightened and shocked by the human male, who she called a friend, sitting across from her. He was simply armed with a sweet friendly smile, hidden biotic powers, and passionate craving to protect that which he loved. Kaidan suppressed his emotions well. Liara had never seen him lose control. Even when Shepard had died with the first Normandy, he had suppressed his reaction. Calmly collecting everyone together and doing rational chore list, she had lost it, Tali had lost it, Garrus and Wrex had been surprised and shocked by the news, but Kaidan stayed composed and cool. She was certain that when he was by himself later, he had let loose. But in front of everyone, he showed very little.

She really never wanted to see the Major lose that composure. From all her observations of him and Shepard, he was the least predictable, which meant he would be the most dangerous and possibly unstable. The realization was disquieting.

"I'm sorry, Major, I have to go. I have people I must contact before all of this goes down." She stood abruptly. Grabbing the datapad as she did so.

"Okay," Kaidan blinked and leaned down in his chair. She walked toward her room, but before she was out of earshot, Kaidan called out to her. "Liara, I would love to read your book once it's finished. Maybe I can get a signed copy."

Liara paused and looked over her shoulder. "I think I can manage that, Kaidan." She replied then headed back to her room. As the door to her room swished open she glanced down at the datapad in her hand. The names of possible book titles were typed across it. He is must more observant than I have given him credit for. She thought. She had thought that her little awkward gesture to cover up the names had gone unnoticed by him. Apparently she had been wrong. She smiled. The Major didn't miss much, and for Shepard's sake she was glad.